NAPA, CA - Last year’s meeting between Napa and Nevada Union was an instant classic, a game that saw the Indians win 35-34 in double-overtime. In the long-awaited rematch, the Miners got their revenge with a 14-13 victory, holding on after a late Napa touchdown.
With two minutes to go in the game, and Napa (1-3) trailing by a touchdown, Isaiah Newton found the end zone from three yards out. The Indians decided to go for the win with a late two-point conversion try, but the Nevada Union front seven swarmed Brandon Herter's attempt to get in the end zone, allowing the Miners to hold on for the one-point victory.
“We try to teach the kids to be winners, and a tie in a non-league game gets you nothing,” Napa coach Jesus Martinez said of the decision to go for two. “If we win, we get that momentum going to Pleasant Valley (Chico, next week's opponent).”
The Indians got on the scoreboard first in the game when Caden Cortese scored from four yards out to give Napa an early 7-0 lead with 11:12 left in the second quarter.
The Miners (2-2) answered right back following the Cortese touchdown -- with 10:58 to go until the half ended Dawon Fay broke a 88-yard kickoff return to make it 7-6. Nevada Union missed the two-point conversion try.
Nevada Union took the lead with 6:41 to go in the third quarter when Fay scored from a yard out, and this time they got the two-point try to make it 14-7.
Fay rushed 17 times for 67 yards, but he had a total of 155 all-purpose yards on the night.
The Indians top rusher on the evening was Cortese, who left the game with an injury in the third quarter. He had 11 rushes for 54 yards, and he was also 7 of 14 passing with 106 yards on the night.
“His leadership, that’s something you can’t teach,” Martinez explained of Cortese. “He’s just one of those born leaders, he does a great job leading the team, making sure everyone’s calm, makes sure the offense is running smoothly. He’s a great leader.”
Newton, who replaced Cortese, was four of seven passing on the night with 66 yards through the air, and the sophomore also rushed five times for 31 yards.
“Isaiah's a great athlete, he’s always learning from Caden (Cortese), you know always asking questions, and it showed,” Martinez explained of his sophomore quarterback. “This last drive where he led us to a score, he’s willing to learn.”
Napa will head to Chico to play Pleasant Valley next Friday at 7:30 p.m., while Nevada Union will begin Sierra Foothill League play next Friday when it visits Rocklin at 7 p.m.
